Shirley Battaglia, '54, of Buhl, Minn. passed away in May. She taught at Brooklyn School in Hibbing, in Buhl, and at St. Michael's in Duluth for many years. Shirley married Raymond Battaglia in 1955. She was an active member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Buhl, where she served as organist and choir director since 1947. Shirley earned a bachelor's degree from UMD in elementary education.

Gene Gruba, of Duluth, died in May. He served in the Army National Guard as a sergeant, and was also known for his writing. He used his writing talent at the Duluth News Tribune, local TV and ad agencies, and with his own company, Gruba Communications. He also worked for the city of Duluth where he served four mayoral administrations as public information coordinator. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his wife, Helen, as well as attending the events of his grandchildren. Gene earned a bachelor's degree in speech communication.

Ross Jackson, '99, of Duluth, passed away in May. He served in the Army, spending four years in Germany, and also the Army National Guard, as a medic and a recruiter. He married Angela in 1999, and was employed as a third grade teacher at Fond Du Lac Ojibway School in Cloquet for a year. Ross was recently in Bosnia where he volunteered to teach children to read, for which he received a Meritorious Service medal. He had been working at Woodland Hills as a youth counselor since 2002, until the time of his death.

Christine Jasmin, MSW '96, of Duluth, died in August. Christine was a licensed independent Clinical Social Worker, and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She earned her master's degree in social work from UMD, and was working towards her doctor of psychology.

Robert Johns, '67, MA '72, of St. Paul, passed away in August. He was a chemistry and math teacher at Battle Creek in Chaska, and Two Harbors, as well as a chemist with Twin Cities Testing. Robert served time in the Army National Guard, both out of Duluth and Virginia. Robert was an avid collector of 1958 Pontiac Bonnevilles, which gave him the nickname, "The Bonneville Kid."

Mina Lorix, '41, of Duluth, passed away in January of 2003. She taught physical education at the College of St. Scholastica, retiring in 1979. Mina was married to Robert, and received her bachelor's degree in music.

Scott Plaisted, '76, of Kalamazoo, Mich., passed on in July. Scott was a chemist for Pfizer as well as an avid outdoorsman, possessing the rank of Eagle Scout. He also served on wildlife conservation boards.

Aelred Roehl, MA '68, of Duluth, died in July. She was a member of the St. Scholastica Monastery, and was in the 59th year of her monastic profession. Sister Aelred was a teacher and principal, teaching at St. Rose in Proctor, St. Timothy in Chicago, Our Lady of Victory in Minneapolis, St. John the Evangelist in Duluth, and serving as principal at Our Mother of Sorrows in Cincinnati for six years. In 1975 she received Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in Cincinnati, and in 1992 was named a charter member of the Quarter Century Club of Outstanding Educators. Aelred returned to St. Scholastica where she served as Monastery archivist until her passing.

Ellen Sandstedt, '62, of Palo, Minn. died in May. She taught in various St. Louis County Schools, and married Edward Sandstedt in 1944. Ellen compiled a spiral bound book called Little Bits of Palo History, and another book of her own writings titled, Ellen's Poems and Writings.

Rudolph "Rudy" I. Schauer, of Duluth, professor Emeritus, Department of Art, passed away last summer. Rudy spent 38 years teaching in the UMD Art Department. He frequently exhibited his watercolors, oil paintings, and jewelry and won local and national awards.

James Seaberg, '51, of Stoughton, Wisc., died in May. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as captain, and married Mary Ann in 1973. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and economics.

Joseph Stainbrook, '85, of Stuart, Fla., passed away in May. He served as general manager for several businesses, including Firestone for 10 years, where he received many of Firestone's highest awards for management excellence and sales.

Anthony Turk, '69, of Virginia, Minn. passed away in August. He taught English in Virginia for 34 years, and was also active in drama productions and wrote plays. Anthony was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, serving as a cantor, reader, and sang in the choir.

Gladys Wallin, '72, MA '82, of Asheville, N.C., passed on in July. She was married to Robert Wallin in 1955, and taught in the public schools of Duluth for 20 years. After moving to Asheville she volunteered her time at the Billy Graham Training Center, and was a member of the Messiah Christian Fellowship. Gladys earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in education.